Grieving parents gather at a bronze angel

Each year on the night of December 6, hundreds gather at the statue of an angel in a Lake Forest cemetery. They come to mourn for and remember the children they have lost. It is a tradition that started with a self-published book, "The Christmas Box," which is a staple of grief support groups.

Storified by LA Times City Beat � Mon, Dec 10 2012 10:32:18

For my next City Beat, I visit a statue of an angel, where people gather each year to mourn & honor children they've lost.LA Times City Beat

Last night, I drove to Lake Forest for a gathering of those who have lost children. They meet each year at a statue.LA Times City Beat

This is the Angel of Hope statue at the El Toro Memorial Park in Lake Forest: http://pic.twitter.com/7KalmxPjLA Times City Beat

There are more than 100 bronze angels like it around the country because of this book: http://pic.twitter.com/WZFl5GO4LA Times City Beat

The self-published book tells of a woman grieving into old age for her dead child: http://pic.twitter.com/dpxrVq9ALA Times City Beat

The child in "The Christmas Box" died on Dec. 6. Those who've lost children gather at the angel statues on that evening.LA Times City Beat

They hold candles and sing and talk about grief and hope: http://pic.twitter.com/PFDcGG4aLA Times City Beat

They also line up to name those they've lost: "My beautiful baby," "my grandson," "my big brother." http://pic.twitter.com/IcL7m7wHLA Times City Beat

They place white carnations on the statue for the children: http://pic.twitter.com/rRDHURBQLA Times City Beat

Last night, it took nearly 20 minutes for the names to be said. There were so many flowers: http://pic.twitter.com/cVjuug9CLA Times City Beat

Oliver Jack Pineda was delivered stillborn. His name is on a brick in front of the angel statue: http://pic.twitter.com/7pOXpt5rLA Times City Beat

His parents, Felipe and Carey, say it helps them to meet others who share and understand such grief: http://pic.twitter.com/ws3xUzKNLA Times City Beat

Riley Anne Ekstrand lived under an hour. Adam and Kelly are expecting again and hopeful: http://pic.twitter.com/NpGaDW9SLA Times City Beat

Brandon Ty Garner lived six hours and is buried near the angel: http://pic.twitter.com/b9zqxg6FLA Times City Beat

His parents, Janet and Ty, visit his grave twice a week. They say a lot of people don't understand: http://pic.twitter.com/fIRp50EiLA Times City Beat

Just being able to say her son's name aloud, to have it heard, means everything to Janet, she says: http://pic.twitter.com/7ksxihFDLA Times City Beat

Brandon's grandfather, Ty Sr., holds his candle & flower. He was so excited to have a grandson, he says: http://pic.twitter.com/oZl3D0AZLA Times City Beat

"We live it every day," Ty Sr. says of the grief the family feels: http://pic.twitter.com/Orib4LT1LA Times City Beat

After a child dies, a place to find solace and others who understand -- my latest City Beat: http://lat.ms/VLDSJYLA Times City Beat

Photo: Josh Smay, 7, of Foothill Ranch joins his family at his sister Katelyn's gravesite on Thursday during a vigil to honor deceased children. Katelyn died the day she was born. Credit: Alyssa Orr / Los Angeles Times